Statement Regarding Msgr. Joseph Davies

Monsignor Joseph Davies died in 1992. On August 31, 1993, a man in his 50s contacted the Archdiocese to report that he had been sexually abused as a child by Davies in the 1950s. The Archdiocese reported the allegation in writing to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office on September 8, 1993 and offered the victim an apology and counseling assistance. Additional allegations against Msgr. Davies have been made in the ensuing years, all of which have been reported in writing to the appropriate civil authorities at the time they were received. In each case the victims were offered an apology and counseling assistance.

The Archdiocese has been forthcoming in naming all priests credibly accused in their lifetime and has done so consistently since 2002. At that time, Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore from 1989-2007, stated that there were a number of priests about whom the Archdiocese received allegations of abuse after their death, with allegations dating back to the 1930s. He noted that the allegations were always reported to civil authorities and alleged victims were offered counseling assistance. He publicly explained the Archdiocese’s decision not to disclose those names since the Archdiocese could not question the accused. He stated: “They are no longer a danger to children, and the Lord is now judging them. We pray that any other victims will come forward so that we may apologize and offer help.”

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse. We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to come forward, and to report it immediately to civil authorities. If clergy or other Church personnel are suspected of committing the abuse, we ask that you call the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Office of Child and Youth Protection Hotline at 1-866-417-7469.